🔗 Share this article

Army spokespersons have stated that the Israeli military has initiated its anticipated ground offensive into the heavily populated streets of the Gaza Strip's main urban area.

Phase Called as "Primary" Offensive

One military official explained that soldiers had started what he described as the “main phase” of the operation, with an late-night movement from the outskirts towards the city centre.

“Overnight we began intensifying our operations further into Gaza City,” the defense spokesperson stated. “It’s a step-by-step thing. It is not a straightforward thing. But yesterday was a significant move ahead … in operations on the ground.”

Combined Action Focusing on Armed Infrastructure

“This phase is characterized by a coordinated and gradual action combining precise reconnaissance, air and ground forces targeting the organization's main hub and aimed at dismantling its influence in the region,” the official said.

The official added that IDF troops were preparing to meet substantial resistance from an estimated 3,000 armed and allied combatants in Gaza City.

“Many of them, we believe, have been there since the beginning the conflict and are getting ready to fight with our forces above ground and underground,” the spokesperson remarked.

UN Accusations and Israel's Reaction

The ground assault was launched on a morning when a United Nations group of rights experts released a report claiming the Israeli government of committing genocide.

“It is clear that there is an purpose to harm the Palestinians in the Strip through measures that fulfill the conditions outlined in the UN statutes,” said the chair of the investigation.

Israel’s foreign ministry denied the committee's report as “inaccurate and false”.

The defense minister, announced in an morning statement on online platforms: “Gaza is burning. The IDF is targeting enemy positions with an iron fist.”

“We will continue until the objective is completed,” Katz added.

Resident Testimonies and Evacuation Instructions

Urban inhabitants reported a night of severe airstrikes prior to the operation was initiated.

The IDF believes that 40% of the estimated 1 million people of the area and its surroundings have to date left after military evacuation orders. Israel urged those remaining to heed and to move to the south.

An Arabic-speaking official for the IDF, an officer, announced: “The IDF has begun dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the region.”

“The area is a dangerous combat zone. Being present in the city threatens you,” the spokesperson warned on social media.

Political Statements

Benjamin Netanyahu, stated on Tuesday that “a major offensive in Gaza” had commenced during the night, noting that “The country is at a pivotal stage.”

Netanyahu was speaking at a proceeding of his corruption trial in a Tel Aviv court and referenced the offensive as an justification why he could not attend lengthy or repeated court sessions.

Opponents have suggested that he has extended the conflict to put off voting, retain his position and thereby maintain his protection from prosecution.

Global Response

The offensive was launched in the aftermath of a brief visit from the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, who had assured “strong” American support for the government.

As part of what has been seen in Israel as a international backing for the operation, Donald Trump shared on his social media platform earlier to spread an unofficial report that Hamas had moved a number of the estimated 20 surviving captive individuals up to the surface to serve as protective barriers.

The former president warned militants: “Cease these actions or, there will be consequences.”